All about nappies

If you are a new parent,you will soon become accustomed with nappies, and we’ve got a few pointers to get you started.

Changing nappies can be a daunting task but you will master it quickly – and don’t worry, you’ll get lots of practice with your baby.

Preparing to change a nappy

Firstly, set up a warm, safe and clean area where you plan to change your baby. That may be a changing table or you may choose to lay a nappy changing mat on the floor or on the bed. Choose what best suits the situation as you won’t always be at home when you change a nappy.

Make sure your hands are clean and dry – if you are out and about you could use anti-bacterial gel or a baby wipe.

Get everything you need together before you start. You’ll need a new nappy, cotton wool and water or baby wipes to clean your baby with, a dry cloth, barrier cream or rash cream and a change of clothes if necessary. You’ll need a plastic bag, too, for the dirty nappy.

If you change your baby on a changing table or any surface that is elevated from the floor then keep one hand on him at all times. Even if you think he is totally safe, don’t leave him unattended or turn your back, even for a second.

Now that you have everything you need in one place and you have your baby positioned safely on your changing mat, you are ready to tackle the dirty nappy.

How to change a nappy

NHS Choices has some good guidance on changing nappies and advises that you can use the nappy to clean off most of the poo from your baby’s bottom1. Once you have done that, you should use cotton wool and water or baby wipes to remove the rest of the poo and clean him properly and thoroughly2.

Clean your little girl from front to back to avoid germs getting into her genitals and causing an infection. Boys on the other hand should be cleaned around the testicles and penis, but be gentle3.

If your baby’s nappy is just wet, you still have to clean him thoroughly and make sure he is completely dry before you put on a new nappy4.

Keep your baby engaged while you are changing his nappy – make eye contact with him, talk to him, sing him a song, tell him a story – whatever gets his attention. It’s a great way to bond.

Continue reading about the basics of newborn nappy changing, you’ll pick it up in no time and it’ll soon become part of your daily routine.

Nappy rash

Most babies will get nappy rash at some point so don’t panic or assume you are doing something wrong. The best way to handle it is to try and prevent it in the first place, but that can be easier said than done. Causes of nappy rash include prolonged contact with urine (wee) or stools (poo), sensitive skin, rubbing or chafing, soap, detergent or bubble bath, baby wipes, diarrhoea, or other illness5.

If your baby has nappy rash, you may notice red patches, sore-looking skin, pimples or blisters, and your baby’s skin may feel hot to the touch.

You can treat nappy rash with nappy rash cream6. Speak to your health visitor for advice on which one would be best for your baby. If the rash persists, you will need to talk to your GP or health visitor for further help.

To prevent the risk of getting nappy rash, change your baby’s nappy as often as possible so his skin is not exposed to urine for an extended period of time7. When you clean him, make sure you use clean water or baby wipes and be aware if anything you use seems to irritate his skin.

Also, make sure that baby’s skin is dry before you put his new nappy on. In fact, leave his nappy off for a bit and allow fresh air to circulate a short time8. You can also use barrier creams to prevent nappy rash – you could talk to your health visitor or pharmacist about this.

Disposing of nappies

Once your baby is nice and clean with a new nappy on and a change of clothes, you can dispose of his dirty nappy. Get as much of the content of the nappy as is possible in the toilet and flush but do not flush the whole nappy itself as it will block your toilet. Fold up your nappy, fasten it with the sticky tabs and put in a nappy bag and discard.

Nappy buckets are quite handy to store dirty nappies as you don’t want to keep running out to the bin and leaving your baby unattended.

Wash your hands thoroughly or use anti-bacterial gel if you are out and about, and you are all set … until the next nappy change!